6 Steps to Fundraising

You spell FUNdraising… F-U-N! Yah, so let’s make it fun! We know that fundraising is crucial to your Chapter’s operations. So keep it FUN and follow these steps:

When your Chapter is deciding on the budgetary needs for the year make sure fundraising efforts planned for the year are noted. Here the Epsilon Alpha Chapter at Kutztown University planned a car wash fundraiser.

SET CLEAR GOALS FOR THE EVENT
Bottom line: You want/need money!

CONSIDER FUNDRAISING TYPES
There are several fundraising types:

Special Fundraising Event Ideas

Three vs Three Tournaments

Rock Band/Guitar Hero Tournament

Walk/5k’s

Spelling Bee/Trivia Tournaments

Product (Direct Sales)

Food (Candy Bars, lollipops, cookie dough)

Magazines

Restaurant Gift Cards

Care Packages

Bake Sales

Service Fundraising Event Ideas

Pancake Breakfast/Spaghetti Dinner

Face Painting

Car Wash

DETERMINE YOUR AUDIENCE
Your target audience is the group of people who will be attending your special event or using your product or service. You’ll need to consider the following:

What need does this event, product or service satisfy?

Who needs what you’re promoting and can afford it? Is there a specific demographic?

How will your target audience learn about and access your product or service?

COSTS VS PROFITS
Before you plan the event, try to calculate how much money you will make from it. Try to overestimate expenses and underestimate revenue. This will reduce any surprises in the long run. You should also try and get donations. In return for donations, acknowledge donors on signs at the event, on t-shirts or in the event program.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIME AND LOCATION
Think about holding your event in a high-traffic area or time of campus or in the community.

ADVERTISE
Work with the PR Committee to advertise the event using as many ways as possible. Ask other organizations and Residential Advisors (RAs) to participate.

Want more ideas? Have questions about how to have a successful Fundraiser? Attend our Fundraising Roundtable on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at 8:30pm EST. Vice President of Sarah Cantwell will be your host and she’ll be joined by Chapter Consultant Casey Ganz as well as Epsilon Lambda Alumna Jennifer Nelson.